Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC) has agreed to pay the government $754,585 to resolve an overpayment resulting from improper documentation at the Wilkes Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit (“Wilkes SNU”), announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. WFBMC acquired Wilkes Medical Center, including the Wilkes SNU, on July 1, 2017. The United States contends that between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2019, the Wilkes Medical Center submitted or caused to be submitted claims to Medicare for physical and occupational therapy services provided to patients at the Wilkes SNU that were not supported by documentation. The United States initiated its investigation when a whistleblower filed a lawsuit under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. WFBMC cooperated with the United States’ investigation and took remedial actions to address the issues discovered during the investigation.
